Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
I smile at her. “You’re the best.”
“Want me to text him?” She pulls out her phone. “He’ll wend right over. That’s another perk about mates—we’re a team.”
Thirst burns the back of my throat, but the idea of feeding from Dagon, even in a non-intimate way, makes my stomach turn. “No, thank you,” I answer. “I’m fine. For now. If the hunger gets really bad, I’ll let you know.”
Annika sets down her phone. “Probably a good idea,” she says. “Now that I think about it, Saint might kill Dagon for it.”
“Really? But they’re like brothers.” I can’t imagine any of them hurting the other…except for Samuel, of course.
Annika nods. “It’s a mate thing,” she explains. “The idea that you’d feed from anyone else can send them into primitive mode. Even another male accidentally touching you can make them go nuclear.”
“That puts her in a truly unfair position,” Daphne chimes in. “I know I don’t fully understand mating bonds and thirst, but seriously? If he’ll kill anyone for feeding her, who’s to say he won’t do the same thing if she decides to feed from a human?”
My blood runs cold.
“Not that you will or ever would have to,” Daphne hurries to say. She knows my stance on feeding from humans. “But come on. She has to feed. If he’s refusing, he has no right to threaten anyone else.”
“You’re not wrong,” Annika agrees.
“Again, we’re not even sure if it’s his mark I’m wearing.” I groan, my head falling into my hands. “This is impossible. Saint is immovable and stubborn.” And comforting and safe and sexy as hell. “He’s infuriating.”
“Maybe you should chase him,” Daphne says.
I look up from my hands. “You’re kidding. Chase the scary-as-hell hunter?”
Daphne grins, something mischievous twinkling in her eyes. “I have a little experience with tall, dark, and dangerous…beings. I understand immovable. Stubborn. Terrifying.” Her eyes go distant for a second, and I can’t tell if that’s fear or intrigue radiating there. A blink, and it’s gone. “Sometimes, those types have to be chased. Sometimes, you have to be just as stubborn back. Let him know you’re not taking no for an answer.”
Anticipation flutters inside me. “But, wouldn’t that be forcing him?”
Annika snort laughs. “Not even close. Anyone with eyes can see what you mean to that hunter. He just happens to be the one who won’t allow himself to be happy. And, if I had to put money on it, that’s what you represent to him. Happiness. Something he’s sworn to himself he doesn’t deserve. Especially after everything his twin has done to you and everyone else.”
“That sounds like him.” I chew on my bottom lip, wondering if they’re right. If his resistance to me isn’t about me and my need of him since he found me, but his own self-punishment over the responsibility he feels over Samuel’s actions?
“So, fuck him.” Annika goes back to her earlier sentiment but waggles her eyebrows this time.
I go hot all over before we all burst into laughter. It feels good to laugh, to be alive, to be with friends. And it feels just as good to let myself dream. Let myself believe I can be the powerful, strong vampire my friends are telling me I am.
“Good advice,” Daphne agrees.
Annika arches a brow at her. “Advice for Aurora,” she clarifies. “I was in no way giving you the same advice.”
Daphne blushes before forcing another laugh. “Of course,” she says. “I know that.”
Annika flashes her a concerned look.
“Annika, we’ve gone over this.” Daphne eyes her friend right back. “I’m not ridiculous enough to chase the demon king.”
“Mhmm,” Annika chides her. “Be grateful Benedict wasn’t walking by just now, or the king’s favorite lie detector would have some new ink on his skin.”
“If I had something to throw at you, I would.” Daphne teases.
I glance between the two, realizing I’m not the only one here whose heart has locked onto someone not only dangerous, but also totally out of reach.
CHAPTER 7
Saint
Istorm into Aurora’s room, my eyesight flashing from thermal to normal and back again.
“You asked Dagon to feed you?” The accusation rips out of me, adrenaline racing through my veins like I’m on a hunt.
Aurora looks up from the book she’s reading in bed. Her shocked eyes and pouty mouth are enough to snap my sight back to normal, but it does nothing against the fire searing my skin.
“Answer me.” I’m no longer yelling. I’m lethally calm. The news came to me like every scrap of gossip did in this place—passed around the family until it eventually landed on the wrong person.
Ajax told me. He’d heard it from Zachariah, who’d heard it from Dagon. And fuck me if I hadn’t exploded at the mere idea of my hunter brother feeding Aurora. His blood pouring into her mouth, his body sustaining hers. Even if it was purely survival with no intimacy involved, I didn’t fucking like it.